PANORAMA FC manager Brent Osborne hailed the efforts of his side after seeing them side kick off the Western Premier League (WPL) with a 1-all draw against the Dubbo Bulls in Dubbo on Saturday.
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The fitness levels of his side showed late and the Bathurst club almost stole it at the death, but a looping header following a well-delivered free-kick went narrowly over the bar.
"We didn't know what to expect so when you come to Dubbo and play the best team for the last decade in the region, let's call it what it is and that's what it is, I couldn't be more proud of the boys who came here," Osborne said post-match.
"I thought we were probably the better team for a lot of the game and had some good chances so I think in five, six, seven weeks those chances will be there for us a little more readily.
"I'm super proud of tonight, it was awesome."
Dubbo Bulls coach Jason Schink was also delighted with how his men performed in the season opener, in particular the defenders.
The Bulls went into the match missing a number of key players, most notably midfield maestro Scott Fox, and things were made a whole lot harder when Thomas Busch dislocated his knee inside the first two minutes of the clash at Lady Cutler 6.
After a lengthy delay and wait for the ambulance the hosts still managed to take the lead midway through the first half when the lively Gareth Williams poked the ball home.
The lead didn't last long though as powerful Panorama striker Ryan Peacock levelled things up from the penalty spot soon after and while he and the Bathurst outfit finished the stronger the tiring Bulls held firm to kick off the relaunched competition with a share of the points.
"They're a really good side," an impressed Schink said at full-time.
"That striker [Peacock], he's an absolute gun and we controlled him really well. I think James Leonard and Cory Roberts did a hell of a job keeping up with him because he's quality.
"To only concede a penalty against that side in the first hit-out, I'm very happy."
The match began in lively fashion and the Bulls had the first shot in target inside the first minute but the match was brought to a halt just seconds later.
Busch slipped and fell in the middle of the park and it was immediately clear he was in real pain.
The dislocated knee saw the match stopped but once the ambulance arrive the positive sign was Busch, albeit gingerly, back on his feet and early reports later in the evening were positive and his time out may not be as long as first feared.
The teenager had been singled out by Schink as a player to watch and one with "a bright future" pre-game but rather than be hampered by his progress, the Bulls restarted the better and were duly rewarded.
Williams managed to dart forward into the area between the Panorama defence and poke the ball home from an inviting cross to open the scoring.
Brody Austin then had a big chance to extend the lead only to see his shot save but Panorama wasn't rattled though and when a player was brought down in the area Peacock sent Bulls' keeper Hayden Williams the wrong way to make it 1-all.
Bulls' captain Kobe Rapley came into the match in a big way late in the first half, producing a well-worked free-kick for Austin which was well saved before putting a shot just over while he also had a shot from distance comfortably saved just before the break.
The Bulls, most notably Nelson Flick, battled cramp in the second half as Panorama lifted and while Peacock's strength and ability to hold-up play kept the visitors in with a chance, the defence marshalled by Leonard kept the visitors at bay.
Aside from Peacock, Mitch Cooper and Nathan Davis were standouts for Panorama as numerous attacking raids were made along the left wing.
"Our fitness is pretty good and the boys have worked hard. It's been hard the past couple of months. Everyone has been home and motivation has been hard to find and there was times where we didn't know if we'd play football but a lot of these lads stuck with it and kept working and I think we've come into this season pretty fit," Osborne said.
"We've still got a lot to improve and it's a bit of a new team but I'm super proud of the efforts. They did really well."
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
